DFS Alerts
A.J. Green states that he is playing this week
After nearly playing last week, it was expected by most that Green would play this week and his statement to local media today would seem to confirm that. He’ll be a viable, but risky (given he’s returning from a prolonged absence due to injury), option facing a Texans defense that is 20th in WR1 DVOA. His return is a hit to the value and viability of both Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd.
As reported by: Jim Owczarski on Twitter Other tagged players: Tyler Boyd, Brandon LaFell
Julio Jones continues to practice; Austin Hooper does not
The Falcons star WR continues to practice and all signs are positive that he will play this week without many limitations – he’ll be a top option as he usually is and even more so with Atlanta’s opponent being a Carolina Panthers team that is 25th in WR1 DVOA. Austin Hooper continues to miss practice and his status is in doubt for this week leaving Levine Toilolo as the likely starting TE. Toilolo is not a viable DFS option.
As reported by: Vaughn McClure on Twitter Other tagged players: Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart not practicing Wednesday; Cam Newton limited
Stewart’s absence was just a rest day and Ron Rivera has reiterated that Olsen’s status isn’t in jeopardy for Saturday, so we don’t have much to worry about here. Cam Newton was limited on Wednesday, but he’ll be out there in Week 16 in one of the best potential draws on the board. Atlanta has been a sieve to opposing passing games, so the formerly popular Newton-Olsen stacks could be viable yet again here. With both of their prices falling drastically since the start of the season, now could be a good time to hop on board.
As reported by: David Newton Other tagged players: Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart
Jared Goff (concussion) full participant on Wednesday, cleared to play in Week 16
This is actually good news for the 49ers defense. The sad thing is that even in a match-up this ripe, we can’t confidently target the 49ers defense or the Rams passing attack. Todd Gurley appears to be one solid option on the LA side – Kenny Britt may have an issue with that statement – as he’ll take on a defense that has allowed the most rushing yards in team history in a season, and we still have a full two games to play. The 49ers have allowed far and away the most rushing yards per game (to RBs alone) this year, so even with as poor as Gurley’s stat lines have looked this year, we could very possibly see him cross the century mark in rushing yards here. Goff is not a viable fantasy option in any format.
As reported by: Matt Maiocco Other tagged players: Todd Gurley Tom Brady limited in Wednesday's practice
It’s just the Patriots being the Patriots. Brady has finally popped back up on the injury report, but there is no real doubt about his Week 16 status. He’s among the top overall plays at the QB spot against a porous Jets defense that has been ripped apart by opposing passing games. If the Jets can somehow figure out a way to keep this game competitive, we could see a huge stat line from Brady.
As reported by: Mike Reiss Julio Jones, Taylor Gabriel both limited in Wednesday's practice
Today’s practice was supposed to be Julio’s big test for Week 16, but it’s still very unclear whether or not he’ll rejoin the Falcons on Saturday. Jones posted his 12-catch, 300-yard performance against this same Carolina team earlier this season, and he’d clearly be in a nice match-up yet again, but his health makes him a very big risk. Even if he’s active, it’s possible he plays more of a decoy role than anything else. We may have to wait another day to get more clarity on the situation, but Jones still appears to be inching toward a game-time call. Taylor Gabriel was also limited on Wednesday, but he doesn’t appear to be in any danger of missing Saturday’s game.
As reported by: Vaughn McClure Other tagged players: Taylor Gabriel Donte Moncrief practicing Wednesday in a limited fashion
After missing this past Sunday’s game with the Vikings, it appears that we’ll see Donte Moncrief back on the field this weekend. It’s not set in stone that Moncrief plays against Oakland, but it’s looking very much like that’ll be the case. T.Y. Hilton’s target upside would drop a notch, but he’s still a viable tournament play given his home-run hitting upside, and 10+ targets still isn’t out of the question for Hilton. Moncrief has been TD-or-bust for most of the season, a trend that’s likely to continue for the rest of the season. We’ll continue updating Moncrief’s status as the week draws to a close.
As reported by: Kevin Bowen Other tagged players: T.Y. Hilton Jimmy Smith still not practicing Wednesday
If Jimmy Smith is inactive, it’ll be good news for Antonio Brown. Since Smith became a starter, Brown has 64.5 YPG in the six games Smith has played and 130 YPG in the two he hasn’t, a trend that other top wideouts have also followed (this season especially). The Ravens didn’t really feel Smith’s absence this past weekend against an Eagles offense that can’t move the ball in big chunks through the air, but that’ll be very different on Sunday. Brown should be treated as a top-two WR play on the board if Smith sits, but is still firmly entrenched in the top five even if he’s active. With Ladarius Green looking iffy with concussion issues, Brown should see a big workload.
As reported by: Jamison Hensley Other tagged players: Antonio Brown Tyler Eifert, Jeremy Hill miss Wednesday's practice
It’s still looking very much like we’ll see both on the field this weekend, but another missed practice for either tomorrow would be worrisome. Cincinnati plays on Saturday night this week so this is almost the equivalent of a Thursday practice, although it’s not uncommon for players to be rested on short weeks, especially this late in the season. With A.J. Green looking like he may make a return against Houston, Eifert’s opportunity would be damped. He’s already stuck in a tough draw with the Texans defense, but would also likely see Green eat into his potential red-zone work assuming Green isn’t limited. Rex Burkhead is next in line behind Jeremy Hill.
As reported by: Geoff Hobson Other tagged players: Jeremy Hill, Rex Burkhead, A.J. Green Melvin Gordon still not practicing for Chargers
There was an outside chance Gordon would return this week for San Diego but it’s looking less likely as he has yet to practice this week. Kenneth Farrow will get another chance to disappoint DFS owners after a lackluster performance last Sunday. He has the top match up on the board, however, facing the Browns and their #32 ranked Run DVOA so it’s probably best to go back to the well given the upside.
As reported by: Michael Gehlken on Twitter Other tagged players: Kenneth Farrow C.J. Fiedorowicz returns to practice
After missing last week with a concussion, the Texans TE is in line to return to the field this weekend as he took part in practice today. It’s a relatively good match up facing a Bengals team that is 20th in TE DVOA but there’s no telling how new starting QB Tom Savage will be in terms of targeting his TE. He’s worth a look in GPP’s for sure though given the number of targets he had been seeing prior to the concussion. Ryan Griffin’s value takes an obvious hit with this news.
As reported by: Sarah Barshop on Twitter Greg Olsen misses practice
Olsen suffered an injury late Monday against the Redskins and is scheduled to see a doctor in the near future. He was not present at practice but no word yet on the severity of his injury. We’ll continue to monitor his status and update as news comes in. Ed Dickson would be the starting TE if Olsen can’t go but is not a viable DFS option, even at minimum salary.
As reported by: David Newton on espn.com Other tagged players: Ed Dickson Matt Forte does not practice on Wednesday
He didn’t practice most of last week either but still managed to take the field and disappoint anyone who rostered him. He’s questionable this week and is definitely not a viable DFS option. Bilal Powell on the other hand is, especially on PPR sites like DraftKings, facing a Patriots team that has allowed the second most receiving yards to RBs.
As reported by: Kimberley Martin on Twitter Other tagged players: Bilal Powell A.J. Green practices again; in line to play this week
He was close last week and appears likely to play this week when the Bengals face the Texans. His return will be a significant downgrade to the value of Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd while Green himself would be in play against a Texans defense that is 21st in WR1 DVOA.
As reported by: Jim Owczarski on Twitter Ladarius Green still in concussion protocol
Given his history, it’s looking unlikely that we’ll see Green on the field this Sunday against the Ravens. He’s seen at least six targets in the past three games, and while a good chunk of those looks will likely be funneled to Jesse James, Eli Rogers and Le’Veon Bell could also see a slight uptick as a result. If Jimmy Smith is inactive, it’ll be good news for Antonio Brown. Since Smith became a starter, Brown has 64.5 YPG in the six games Smith has played and 130 YPG in the two he hasn’t, a trend that other top wideouts have also followed (this season especially). We’ll provide updates on Green’s status as the week progresses, but expect the Steelers to be without their best pass-catching TE.
As reported by: ESPN.com Other tagged players: Jesse James, Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers, Le'Veon Bell